Enjoy reading, friends.
The room number 3 was silent except the soft beeping which informed the medical staff about the patient's condition. Regina opened the door to Emma's room slowly not trusting her own reaction when she sees the blond woman laying on the bed surrounded by all the monitors. She was stable but still in a very serious condition. Doctor West, Regina's friend, shared few of the details of Emma's state with her so she could mentally prepare herself before she stepped in the room. Despite the fact that Regina had seen a lot of injured people, this felt different. This felt close to home somehow. Her legs weakened, her heart was beating so fast as if she has just finished marathon and tears filled her tears. Surprised by her own feelings she pressed the tears back and took few steps to reach Emma's bed. She couldn't help but checked the numbers and lines on the screens to reassure herself that Emma was really stable and that the medical team wasn't missing anything.
„Oh, Emma," she whispered and leaned above the blonde. Regina always had everything under control but now she felt like everything was flowing through her fingers. She didn't have control over anything not even over her own feelings. And it scared her like nothing ever before.
Her fingers landed on Emma's hand. This simple touch brought back the tears that Regina pushed back few moments ago. After so many days of trying to stay away from the blond woman she finally started realizing that she couldn't stay away. It was too painful. This whole situation was painful. Henry was still in the induced coma, Emma was now also a patient in the hospital and Regina didn't know what to do. There was nobody to make decisions in Henry's treatment. Regina was desperate not only because she couldn't proceed with the treatment but also because she couldn't make any decisions by herself. She closed her eyes silently praying for Emma's recovery.
It was this moment when Regina realized what situation she got herself into. She felt deep in her heart that her feelings for Emma have changed during the past few days and she hoped that Emma felt the same way about her. This blond woman was actually the first person who got through the bulletproof walls which Regina had built around her heart many years ago. She had help, or course. Henry was a strong bridge between them and their different worlds. Regina closed her eyes while holding Emma's hand and imagined Henry in her mind. The first scene that appeared in front of her eyes was the first day when they arrived to the hospital. She watched Emma leaning over Henry's little body, kissing his forehead. It felt like the right thing to do so she leaned closer to Emma. With her eyes closed she placed her lips gently on Emma's forehead and kissed her. It felt almost magical. The brunette kept her lips connected to the blond patient's forehead not wanting to leave.
She tightened the grip of her hand on Emma's wrist to let her know that there was someone waiting for her on this side of the life. Through this gesture she sent Emma a message. The message didn't have any words but it spoke loudly.
„Be strong, Emma," she whispered against Emma's forehead and with her other hand she stroked her cheek. Her eyes scanned the patient's body. Emma's body was covered with gauze, bandages and plasters. There was a needle in her right hand through which she got important fluids and minerals into her body. Regina looked into Emma's face trying to take in every detail.
She was certain about her feelings but in the back of her mind she hoped that Emma wouldn't remember any of this. The brunette doctor wasn't ready to confront the blond woman with her feelings just yet. It's been so long since she felt this way about anyone and her insecurity about Emma's feelings made it more difficult to even think about telling her. The sound of Regina's pager filled the room and she knew she would have to go. Looking at Emma for the last time she turned around and as silently as she entered the IC room she left. Checking her phone for missed calls or messages she left the ward and headed back to the paediatrics to check up on Henry.
Everything went according to the plan. Regina checked Henry's chart once again and decided it was the right time to wake up the little boy from the induced coma. She couldn't wait to do it but on the other hand she was scared. What is she going to tell him when he asks about his mother? Thinking about the possible answers to Henry's questions she lowered the doses of medicaments and took Henry from the respirator. His vitals were stable and Henry was safely on the way to wake up.
Regina stood by his bed keeping an eye on him and his condition. Neither Henry nor Emma were her friends or family members but the thought of losing one of them or both was unbearable.
After several minutes Henry started to regain his consciousness. His face crinkled when he felt the postoperative pain and he moaned.
„Mom?" he whispered through his clenched teeth. Regina closed the distance between her and the kid taking his hand into hers whispering gently the words of comfort.
„You are safe, Henry. The surgery went well. Are you in pain?" Regina tried to withhold as long as she could from the moment when she would have to tell Henry where his mom was.
„A little bit. Where is my mom?" he asked for Emma again and Regina closed her eyes.
„Your mother had an accident. I am sorry, Henry. She is in our hospital but please, don't worry, she will be fine," Regina didn't want Henry to worry too much because his heart was still weak from the surgery and he needed as much rest as he could get.
„Mom!" Henry yelled and started to cry. He needed to see her, he needed to hug her. He felt weird after the surgery, he felt like he was floating on water. Not every bit of the anaesthesia came out of his system yet and it made him feel dizzy.
„Henry, calm down, please. I promise you that your mother is going to be ok," Regina did her best at convincing him about something she wasn't so sure of herself. She just needed to make sure that Henry would not be stressed about his mother. His heart couldn't stand the pressure. Then she did something she has never done before. Regina leaned over Henry and offered him a hug. Regina hid him in her arms giving him a chance to lean into her when his mother couldn't be there for him now. Her hands went around his little body gently squeezing him against her body. Henry accepted Regina's embrace and put his hands around Regina's neck to feel more secure. Regina's heart melted a bit when she realized that she was able to give him the feeling of safety. Henry's sobbing calmed and the squeeze of his hands weakened. Regina pulled away to see his face. He smiled. Regina returned the smile.
„What happened to my mom?" he asked.
„Her car broke and it started burning. She got hurt but my friend, doctor West, is now taking care of her. She is a very good doctor and I believe that your mother will be here with you in no time," Regina explained to Henry. She was curious about what exactly happened that Emma got hurt so badly. Nothing mattered more than bringing Emma back to her son soon.
„Can I go visit her?" Henry asked putting Regina in a difficult situation. Henry was still weak and couldn't leave his bed right now. Emma wasn't in a good shape to be seen by her sick son who had just went through such a serious surgery.
„I will take you to see your mom, but not today, ok? She needs some rest just like you," Regina hoped that Henry wouldn't keep convincing her. Thankfully, he didn't.
„Will you stay here with me? Please?" making his favourite puppy eyes at Regina he wished she could stay with him. He knew that this look always made Emma do whatever he wanted. Well, not everything but he was most successful.
„I have other patients to check but I will come back soon," Regina answered totally taken aback by Henry's need of her presence. She wasn't on the list of the most popular or favourite doctors who the kids wanted to spend time with. This was actually the first time when she and her patient felt mutually connected that they loved each other's presence. It was a great feeling.
„Ok," Henry answered and accepted the fact that he couldn't have Regina only for himself. Regina smiled at him and after one last check of his vitals she left the room giving the nurse some orders and tasks she would like to see being taken care of. The nurse entered the room making Henry some company until doctor Mills comes back.
Regina took a pile of medical records of her other patients from the reception desk and went to her office to take a break, to breath in more oxygen. She felt like she stopped breathing at the moment when she found out that Emma got hurt. She felt like someone squeezed her from inside.
Regina entered her office finding someone else sitting there.
„Hello mother."
TBC
